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- Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- Hand Towel Used on Pullman Passenger Cars - From its founding in 1867 until its demise a century later, Pullman was synonymous with first-class travel on American railroads. The company built sleeping cars and operated them under contract with host railroads. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class, though the work was difficult. This hand towel was used on Union Pacific trains.
- Collections - Artifact
Hand Towel Used on Pullman Passenger Cars
From its founding in 1867 until its demise a century later, Pullman was synonymous with first-class travel on American railroads. The company built sleeping cars and operated them under contract with host railroads. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class, though the work was difficult. This hand towel was used on Union Pacific trains.
- Conductor's Cap, 1885-1920 - Standard uniforms and caps made railroad staff easily recognizable to passengers. This hat, by Marshall Field & Company of Chicago, projects authority while also providing practical benefits to the wearer. The patent leather visor shades the eyes while the ventilated crown prevents overheating. Marshall Field's supplied uniforms, linens and upholstery to the nearby Pullman Company, builder of railroad passenger cars.
- 1885-1920
- Collections - Artifact
Conductor's Cap, 1885-1920
Standard uniforms and caps made railroad staff easily recognizable to passengers. This hat, by Marshall Field & Company of Chicago, projects authority while also providing practical benefits to the wearer. The patent leather visor shades the eyes while the ventilated crown prevents overheating. Marshall Field's supplied uniforms, linens and upholstery to the nearby Pullman Company, builder of railroad passenger cars.
- Pullman Porter Advertisement, 1952 - Founded in 1867, the Pullman Company built and operated sleeping cars under contract with host railroads and, for a century, was synonymous with first-class rail travel. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class. But the work was difficult. This advertisement underscores the attentiveness expected of porters -- always at passengers' fingertips.
- 1952
- Collections - Artifact
Pullman Porter Advertisement, 1952
Founded in 1867, the Pullman Company built and operated sleeping cars under contract with host railroads and, for a century, was synonymous with first-class rail travel. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class. But the work was difficult. This advertisement underscores the attentiveness expected of porters -- always at passengers' fingertips.
- Wheelchair Lift Ramp inside the Presidential Rail Car "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Wheelchair Lift Ramp inside the Presidential Rail Car "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Lift Created for Franklin D. Roosevelt to Board the Presidential Railcar, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- Pullman Porter Uniform Jacket, 1940-1960 - For a century, Pullman was synonymous with first-class rail travel. The company not only built sleeping cars, it also operated them to ensure quality service, and porters and car attendants wore Pullman-branded uniforms. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class. But the work was demanding. Porters were expected to always be attentive to passengers.
- 1940-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Pullman Porter Uniform Jacket, 1940-1960
For a century, Pullman was synonymous with first-class rail travel. The company not only built sleeping cars, it also operated them to ensure quality service, and porters and car attendants wore Pullman-branded uniforms. For Black Americans, jobs as Pullman porters offered a pathway into the middle class. But the work was demanding. Porters were expected to always be attentive to passengers.
- Centripetal Spring Chair from a Pullman Train Car, 1860-1880 - Seating in most American railroad passenger coaches meant a basic, two-person bench. But a Pullman parlor car offered greater amenities in return for its higher fare. Individual seats provided softer cushioning, richer upholstery, and more comfortable armrests. The ride in this chair was further smoothed by the centripetal metal springs underneath it.
- 1860-1880
- Collections - Artifact
Centripetal Spring Chair from a Pullman Train Car, 1860-1880
Seating in most American railroad passenger coaches meant a basic, two-person bench. But a Pullman parlor car offered greater amenities in return for its higher fare. Individual seats provided softer cushioning, richer upholstery, and more comfortable armrests. The ride in this chair was further smoothed by the centripetal metal springs underneath it.
- Wheelchair Lift, Lowered, on the Presidential Rail Car, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943 - Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar <em>Ferdinand Magellan</em>, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.
- circa 1943
- Collections - Artifact
Wheelchair Lift, Lowered, on the Presidential Rail Car, "Ferdinand Magellan," circa 1943
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was diagnosed with polio (later suggested to have been Guillain-Barre syndrome) in 1921 and experienced permanent paralysis in both legs. Though he tried to keep it private, Roosevelt used a wheelchair throughout his presidency (1933-1945). This lift allowed him to board the railcar Ferdinand Magellan, which was equipped for presidential use during World War II.